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Our next deputy minister of health…

This week it was announced that Dr. Robert Bell, present CEO of University Health Network, will become our next Deputy Minister of Health. He replaces Saäd Rafi who served in the position for four years and was widely considered to have been an excellent Deputy who served the Province well. Mr. Rafi went on to assume a new position as Chief Executive of the Pan Am Games.

I’ve had the good fortune of knowing Bob Bell for over 25 years. For five of those 25, I reported directly to him when I was the Vice-President of Education of University Health Network and he was the CEO. Bob is an incredibly capable individual. He is one of those rare individuals who we would now classify as a “quadruple threat”. Bob, originally an orthopaedic surgeon, is a superb doctor and well respected as one of North America’s leaders in orthopaedic oncology. He is an excellent teacher who is revered by his residents and fellows. He is a scholar who has published widely in the field of orthopaedic oncology and finally, he’s a magnificent leader with capabilities to engage staff, faculty, and governments alike.

Above all of this, Bob is a heck of a nice guy. He is the kind of individual that all feel very comfortable going out for dinner with or sitting down and having a couple of beers. He has a great sense of humour and, I have witnessed first hand, how compassionate he can be.

Ontario couldn’t be luckier to have attracted Bob Bell to the position of overseeing our healthcare system. Undoubtedly there will be a lot of challenges ahead as Bob attempts to further manage what is the single largest budget in Ontario, fifty billion dollars. He is also absolutely passionate about the first principle of being a healthcare administrator and that is keeping our eye on the ball of patient welfare.

If you any comments about our new Deputy Minister or if you have any thoughts on our new Deputy Minister please comment on the blog… or better yet please drop by the Macklem House. My door is always open.

Hugh E Scully,MD

Richard…very well said. It is very good news that an an outstanding physician and innovative leader has agreed to take on one of the most challenging “pulic policy” positions in Canada. I am sure that Bob will bring his creative energy and dedication to improving health and health care in Ontario with his collaborative leadership style.
Hugh Scully